Canadian developments in radiation protection uranium fuel cycle

Future improvements in radiation protection in the uranium industry (mining, refining, fuel conversion, fuel fabrication) will be achieved more by good design engineering than by workplace improvements made after the operation has started. Implementation of the new recommendations of ICRP will place much greater emphasis on improved monitoring techniques, to demonstrate compliance with the lower limits. Great efforts are needed in the mining field to develop reliable and affordable individual dosimeters for airborne radioactivity. In our fervour to improve dosimetry, we must not lose sight of the fact that dosimetry is not an end in itself, but merely a tool to be used in improved radiation protection. Regulatory authorities should not rush to implement ICRP 60 recommendations at a time when the basis for these recommendations is being questioned. (author). 14 refs., 2 tabs., 2 figs